Pope Leo XIV has accepted a rare honorary title from King Charles, Buckingham Palace has confirmed, as the pontiff continues his recovery from lung cancer surgery.
The Dean and Canons of Windsor announced that Pope Leo XIV has become Papal Confrater of the College of St George at St George's Chapel, Windsor. The honour reflects a "shared desire for Christian unity" between the Pope and the King.
Historic Rome visit
King Charles bestowed the honour almost a year after he and the Pope made history by praying together in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. The King's visit to Rome marked the first time a British monarch, who serves as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, had prayed publicly alongside the Pope, head of the Catholic Church, since the Reformation.
During the Rome visit, which Queen Camilla also attended, the King was welcomed as Royal Confrater of the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Paul's Outside the Walls, reports the Daily Record.
Symbols of fellowship
On Friday, Buckingham Palace said: "This act of confraternity represents a visible sign of spiritual fellowship, ecumenical friendship and Christian fraternity."
"It recognises both the centuries-old relationship between the College and Chapel of St George, Windsor and the Holy See, and the progress in relations between the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of England and the Anglican Communion."
"It also reflects the deep mutual esteem between His Holiness and His Majesty and their shared desire for Christian unity."
To commemorate these symbols of fellowship, specially commissioned chairs have been crafted for the two religious locations. The chair gifted to the King is positioned alongside the monastic stalls in St Paul's Outside the Walls, while a matching chair for the Pope will be revealed at St George's Chapel in Windsor in the coming weeks.
Pope's recovery continues
The Pope will be absent from a scheduled visit to Assisi next week as he continues his recovery from thoracic surgery. He was expected to attend an event on October 27 marking the 40th anniversary of St John Paul II's World Day of Prayer for Peace.
The Pope's medical situation was disclosed earlier this month after the Vatican announced he had undergone a "successful" planned operation to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Lung adenocarcinoma is a prevalent form of lung cancer.
